Trans shifts to higher gear between 35-50 at half throttle

**elwood** · 01-16-2011, 04:01 AM

When cruising between about 35-50mph if i give it about half throttle the rpms go up and the transmission seems to shift into a higher gear and it bogs down.

I don't know if it's related but it shifts hard from 1st to 2nd too unless you're taking it real easy on the throttle.

Other than that, the transmission shifts great.

I just purchased the car, the owner before me said she had the transmission rebuilt within the last year. It's completely stock except for an SLP lid.

One more thing, I know this might be a stupid question but.. from a dead stop it shifts 4 times, wouldn't that make it a 5-speed?

**Cutlass** · 01-16-2011, 04:19 AM

The "fifth" shift is actually the torque converter clutch lock-up. Its not an actual gear, it just eliminates the slip in the torque converter.

**elwood** · 01-16-2011, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

The "fifth" shift is actually the torque converter clutch lock-up. Its not an actual gear, it just eliminates the slip in the torque converter.

Ok, kinda figured that, thanks. Any advice on the shifting problem?

**Cutlass** · 01-16-2011, 04:24 AM

Not really sure. the hard 1-2 shift could be a shift kit that the previous owner installed or programmed into the computer.
Can you describe the other problem a little more? So you're cruising at 50mph, you push the pedal down about half way, the rpms jump up (how much??) but you think its up shifting??

**elwood** · 01-16-2011, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

Not really sure. the hard 1-2 shift could be a shift kit that the previous owner installed or programmed into the computer.
Can you describe the other problem a little more? So you're cruising at 50mph, you push the pedal down about half way, the rpms jump up (how much??) but you think its up shifting??

I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a stall higher than factory if that's what you're asking about.

The RPM's just go up as i give it more gas (300-500 increase maybe) then the transmission up shifts and it bogs down because of the higher gear. Like the shift times are off. I guess it's hard for me to explain.

I'll try to get a video of it tomorrow or Monday when I'm off.

P.S. I will soon have an OBD-II to iPhone cable so i can really see what's going on with the computer.

**Cutlass** · 01-16-2011, 07:26 AM

yeah a video would be helpful. That OBDII iPhone cable sounds neat!

**elwood** · 01-16-2011, 03:36 PM

Ok, I took some video which I can't post right now because I'm at work. It doesn't show much anyway. The road noise is louder than the stock exhaust so you can't tell much.

Anyhow, I'm pretty sure the "shift" I feel is the torque converter "unlocking". The RPMs don't really move when it "shifts" except in the correlation with the acceleration.

I'm pretty sure it's an issue with the computer tuning for the transmission.

I just need to figure out if I spend $100 on the OBD-II to iPhone adapter if it's going to give me the information I'm looking for.

On a regular scanner/logger does it show information about the transmission parameters?

**Cutlass** · 01-16-2011, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by elwood

Ok, I took some video which I can't post right now because I'm at work. It doesn't show much anyway. The road noise is louder than the stock exhaust so you can't tell much.

Anyhow, I'm pretty sure the "shift" I feel is the torque converter "unlocking". The RPMs don't really move when it "shifts" except in the correlation with the acceleration.

I'm pretty sure it's an issue with the computer tuning for the transmission.

I just need to figure out if I spend $100 on the OBD-II to iPhone adapter if it's going to give me the information I'm looking for.

On a regular scanner/logger does it show information about the transmission parameters?

Some do, some don't. You need to look specifically for one that says it shows domestic transmission data

**JayTA98** · 01-16-2011, 06:52 PM

If is a tuning issue you are better off taking it to a tuner and save the $100 dollars for that. Some tuners will charge to check your PCM but then you can be sure if it is a A4 tunning issue. I will PM Frost and ask him how much he will charge you for tuning the tranny only. His mail tune service is awesome.